Characteristics and possible roles of various waters significant to in situ oil shale processing

Abstract

An in-situ oil shale development program requires consideration of water produced with oil in retorting oil shale and of natural waters significant to oil shale processing. These waters may be heavily laden with organic, inorganic, or both types of constituents and must be considered for feasibility of use, storage or disposal in environmentally acceptable ways. Analyses of such waters are presented. Compositions are shown for a variety of simulated in-situ retort-produced waters. Compositions of natural underground waters occurring in potential in-situ development areas in the Upper Green River Basin of southwestern Wyoming are presented. Retort-produced waters contain as much as 2 percent organic and 5 percent inorganic constituents and may be produced in volumes in excess of that of the oil. Natural waters of significance may contain over 5 percent inorganic and 5 percent organic components. (auth)